Your Goose Is Cooked (A LaTisha Barnhart Mystery) by S. Dionne Moore Page A

it all those years before I ever set foot in Wig-Out?”
    She shot me a bright smile. “Hardy.”
    “Oh, aren’t you full of sass this afternoon.”
    Regina craned her neck toward the kitchen. “Where is your better half?”
    “I know you’re not talking about Hardy. He’s not even big enough to be half of me.”
    “You’re looking great, by the way.” She scanned down the menu and set it aside. “I don’t know why I bother, I’ll have one of your salads and—” She sniffed. “Is that spaghetti I smell?”
    I beamed a smile down on her. “One plate of the lunch special. You let me know if it tastes as good as when I make it. William’s using my recipe, but he might not be doing the pinches here and there of this and that.”
    “So you want me to be an in-house critic?” She handed over the menu.
    “Something like that.”
    Regina spun her wedding ring around on her finger, a worry crease forming between her brows. I almost set my feet to walking away, but hesitated. “You want that salad while you wait, or do you want to chew on what’s worrying you? You keep spinning that ring and you might lose it.”
    “I need to take it by the jewelers to have it resized.” Her lips formed a stiff little smile. “There is something you might be able to help me with.”
    “Spill it out for me, honey. If I can help, you know I will.”
    Regina stared at her ring, twisting and twisting it. “I don’t know. Well, I mean, I know, but I’m not sure what to do or if there’s anything we can do.”
    I perched on the edge of the chair across from her. “Tell me about it.”
    Regina released a sigh. “Betsy Taser came to the shop this morning. She was her usual self.”
    “I’m sure all that community service has brought out her charming, thoughtful personality.”
    Regina laughed. “Sure. All that and more. But she mentioned the Buchanans .”
    My ears perked up hard. Elizabeth and George Buchanan’s little girl had died after a long fight with cancer. Sara Buchanan was dear to my heart and had been a great fan of my cooking. I still ached with the loss of her. “How you meaning?”
    “She got real chatty, talking about health care and hospital bills and how most health plans don’t cover everything. It got me to thinking.” She unrolled the silverware from her napkin and set the fork on the left and the knife and spoon on the right. “What if they’re struggling under bills. It just seems like we should do something, maybe something in Sara’s honor, but I know everyone would be suspicious of me collecting funds after the campaign scandal.”
    I reached to pat Regina’s hand. “That’s nonsense and you know it. This town isn’t like that at all. Besides, if the town holds a grudge, it should be against Betsy Taser for blackmailing you. Eugene doesn’t seem to think the town will hold it against her, else he wouldn’t be running for another term as mayor.”
    She gave a reluctant little nod.
    I patted her hand. “Let me think on it a spell. I’ve had the idea to sell my pepper relish to raise funds for the school, maybe I can figure a way to expand on that somehow. George and Elizabeth are good people and you’re a good heart to be wanting to help.”
    “I’ve had a prime example all these years,” she smiled into my eyes.
    “Trying to sweet talk a free meal out of me?”
    “Sure, whatever helps. ”
    “You want a drink to wash that salad down?”
    “Sweet tea.”
    “Coming right up.” I marked the order on my pad as the bell on the door rattled. Lester Riley made his grand appearance in grungy overalls and boots, with a fresh cake of manure still on the heel. I held up my hand before he took two steps inside the door.
    “You leave those feet outside unless you want to mop my floor.”
    Lester’s eyes twinkled. “You need yourself a good boot scrape.”
    I nodded. “Got me one. Outside this here door. You scrape those boots right off your feet and come on in. I’ll fill you up with